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United Kingdom Defense Market

Published Nov 19, 2025
Length 190 Pages
SKU # BLWC20706922

Description

United Kingdom Defense Market, By Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force); By Product Type (Fixed Wing Aircraft (Fighter Jets, Transport Aircraft); Rotorcraft (Helicopters); Ground Vehicles (Tanks, Armored Fighting Vehicles); Naval Vessels (Aircraft Carriers, Submarines, Destroyers); Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems; Weapons & Ammunition; Protection & Training Equipment; Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)); By Operation (Autonomous Defense Equipment, Manual), Trend Analysis, Competitive Landscape & Forecast, 2019–2031United Kingdom Defense Market Size Expands to Surpass USD 58 Billion by 2031

United Kingdom Defense Market is growing at a steady rate due to the intensifying geopolitical tensions across the European and other regions, rising budget allocations to defense, and the increasingly sophisticated military and cyberthreat landscape.

BlueWeave Consulting, a leading strategic consulting and market research firm, in its recent study, estimated United Kingdom Defense Market size at USD 43.72 billion in 2024. During the forecast period between 2025 and 2031, BlueWeave expects United Kingdom Defense Market size to grow at a steady CAGR of 4.21% reaching a value of USD 58.36 billion by 2031. The growth of United Kingdom Defense Market is propelled by escalating geopolitical tensions with hostile countries and organizations, heightened security imperatives, and a surge in the investments in military operations with pronounced expansion. During 2024/25, United Kingdom defense budget was estimated at GBP 63.6 billion, and the MoD Spending Review anticipates it would increase to GBP 73.5 billion by 2028-29. The major focus areas for the 2024/25 defense budget include ‘warfighting readiness’ (equipping and training the armed forces for modern warfare), increasing spending on cyber defense, AI, and other innovative technologies, and expanding submarine fleet, missiles, and ammunition factories.

Opportunity – Rapid Adoption of Uncrewed Systems

An increasing demand for unmanned systems presents a significant growth opportunity for the players in United Kingdom Defense Market. The kingdom is rapidly adopting unmanned systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned combat vehicles, and autonomous drones, for various military applications, such as surveillance, reconnaissance, search and rescue operations, and tactical missions. Unmanned systems are equipped with advanced sensors, 360-degree situational awareness capabilities, and autonomous technologies, enabling them to operate remotely or make autonomous decisions without human intervention. It enhances operational efficiency, reduces risk to personnel, and improves mission outcomes. For instance, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced its plans to invest an additional GBP 4.5 billion in drones and advanced uncrewed systems in the coming years. As research and innovations in unmanned systems continue to evolve, these technologies offer an expanding array of applications and further fuel the growth of unmanned systems in United Kingdom Defense Market.

Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on United Kingdom Defense Market

Intensifying geopolitical tensions could impact the growth of United Kingdom Defense Market. The kingdom, responding to heightened conflict risks and regional instability, is strategically bolstering its military preparedness, thereby driving a substantial surge in defense expenditures. This prioritization manifests in amplified budgetary allocations and strategic investments targeting cutting-edge defense technologies. Consequently, United Kingdom Defense Market experiences a pronounced escalation in demand for sophisticated military assets, encompassing advanced aircraft, next-generation weapons systems, and robust cybersecurity solutions. Furthermore, the prevailing geopolitical uncertainties accelerate the dynamics of arms races and foster the formation of strategic alliances, further augmenting market dimensions.

Communication Systems Dominate United Kingdom Defense Market

The communication systems segment accounts for the major market share in United Kingdom Defense Market by type. It is driven by United Kingdom’s strategic focus on enhancing secure and efficient military communication networks to ensure seamless coordination among defense units. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is actively investing in advanced technologies, such as encrypted communication systems, satellite-based connectivity, and network-centric warfare solutions. Moreover, the kingdom's broader emphasis on cybersecurity and digital modernization in defense operations reinforces this trend.

Competitive Landscape

Major companies in United Kingdom Defense Market include Airbus, Babcock International, BAE Systems, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, MBDA, QinetiQ, Rolls-Royce, RTX Corporation, and Thales. The presence of high number of companies intensify the market competition as they compete to gain a significant market share. These companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches to further enhance their market share.

The in-depth analysis of the report provides information about growth potential, upcoming trends, and United Kingdom Defense Market statistics. It also highlights the factors driving forecasts of total market size. The report promises to provide recent technology trends in United Kingdom Defense Market and industry insights to help decision-makers make sound strategic decisions. Furthermore, the report also analyzes the growth drivers, challenges, and competitive dynamics of the market.

Table of Contents

190 Pages
Research Framework
Research Objective
Product Overview
Market Segmentation
Executive Summary
United Kingdom Defense Market Insights
End User Value Chain Analysis
DROC Analysis
Growth Drivers
Rising Geopolitical Tensions
Increasing Defense Budgets
Growing Threat of Cyber Warfare
Restraints
High Development & Maintenance Costs
Regulatory Challenges & Export Retractions
Opportunities
Growing Demand for Unmanned Systems
Rising in Space-based Defense Initiative
Challenges
Supply Chain Disruptions
Geopolitical Sanctions & Trade Barriers
Technological Advancements/Recent Developments
Regulatory Framework
Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
Bargaining Power of Suppliers
Bargaining Power of Buyers
Threat of New Entrants
Threat of Substitutes
Intensity of Rivalry
United Kingdom Defense Market: Marketing Strategies
United Kingdom Defense Market: Pricing Analysis
United Kingdom Defense Market Overview
Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2031
By Value (USD Billion)
Market Share & Forecast
By Armed Forces
Airforce
Land
Naval
By Product Type
Fixed Wing Aircraft
Rotorcraft
Ground Vehicles
Naval Vessels
Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems
 Weapons & Ammunition
 Protection & Training Equipment
 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
By Operation
Autonomous Defense Equipment
Manual
Competitive Landscape
List of Key Players and Their Offerings
United Kingdom Defense Company Market Share Analysis, 2024
Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating Parameters
Key Strategic Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships)
Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on United Kingdom Defense Market
Company Profiles (Company Overview, Financial Matrix, Competitive Landscape, Key Personnel, Key Competitors, Contact Address, Strategic Outlook, SWOT Analysis)
Airbus
Babcock International
BAE Systems
The Boeing Company
Lockheed Martin
MBDA
QinetiQ
Rolls-Royce
RTX Corporation
Thales
Other Prominent Players
Key Strategic Recommendations
Research Methodology
 Qualitative Research
 Primary & Secondary Research
 Quantitative Research
 Market Breakdown & Data Triangulation
 Secondary Research
 Primary Research
 Breakdown of Primary Research Respondents, By Region
 Assumptions & Limitations
*Financial information of non-listed companies can be provided as per availability.
**The segmentation and the companies are subject to modifications based on in-depth secondary research for the final deliverable
List of Figures
Figure 1 United Kingdom Defense Segmentation
Figure 2 United Kingdom Defense Market Value Chain Analysis
Figure 3 Company Market Share Analysis, 2024
Figure 4 United Kingdom Defense Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2031
Figure 5 United Kingdom Defense Market Share, By Armed Forces, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2031
Figure 6 United Kingdom Defense Market Share, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2031
Figure 7 United Kingdom Defense Market Share, By Operation, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2031
List of Tables
Table 1  United Kingdom Defense Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2031  
Table 2  United Kingdom Defense Market Size, By Armed Forces, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2031 
Table 3  United Kingdom Defense Market Size, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2031 
Table 4  United Kingdom Defense Market Size, By Operation, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2031
Table 5  Airbus Company Overview
Table 6  Airbus Financial Overview
Table 7  Babcock International Company Overview
Table 8  Babcock International Financial Overview
Table 9  BAE Systems plc Company Overview
Table 10 BAE Systems plc Financial Overview
Table 11 The Boeing Company - Company Overview
Table 12 The Boeing Company Financial Overview
Table 13 Lockheed Martin Company Overview
Table 14 Lockheed Martin Financial Overview
Table 15 MBDA Company Overview
Table 16 MBDA Financial Overview
Table 17 QinetiQ Company Overview
Table 18 QinetiQ Financial Overview
Table 19 Rolls-Royce Company Overview
Table 20 Rolls-Royce Financial Overview
Table 21 RTX Corporation Company Overview
Table 22 RTX Corporation Financial Overview
Table 23 Thales Company Overview
Table 24 Thales Financial Overview
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